rehabilitation
Types of Rehabilitation Therapy
In addition to veterinary treatment, various rehabilitation therapies can be used to treat horses suffering from illness, those recovering from accidents or surgery and some therapies can be used in veterans to address the effects of ageing. Improved performance, accelerated recovery and improved quality of life can all be achieved through the combination of veterinary support and physical rehabilitation.
Massage Therapy - More than 60% of a horse’s body weight is muscle, so it’s easy to see why muscular stress can lead to decreased performance, lowered endurance and frequent injury. Deep and soft tissue massage therapy can alleviate muscular tension, reduce muscle spasms, decrease stress, increase flexibility and strength of joints and lower injury rate by enhancing muscle tone and range of motion (ROM). Massage is also effective in dilating blood vessels and stimulating blood flow, which help to supply oxygen and nutrients to damaged areas, whilst at the same time promoting tissue drainage. Improved circulation may assist in relieving congestion throughout the body and reducing inflammation and swelling in joints. In addition, massage can assist in behaviour management by promoting relaxation, reducing tension, and improving
Grooming is a form of massage therapy and can help identify areas of muscular tension and spasm
Learn what is ‘normal’ for your horse or pony and how to recognise when something may be wrong
emotional and physiological wellbeing. Through the manipulation of muscles, tendons, connective tissue, fascia and joints, massage provides gentle, progressive relief while increasing soft tissue motion and elasticity. Massage therapy can be used indefinitely to promote continuous health, well-being, and good ROM for optimum physical efficiency.
Hydrotherapy treats ailments by using water, including underwater treadmills or swimming in a pool. Although hydrotherapy is not for all horses, many are ‘very capable swimmers’ and in most cases, just need time to adjust to the water. Only experienced handlers who are aware of a horse’s mental and physical limitations and can identify a horse in panic or distress
should work with horses in this type of environment. To further safeguard the horse before swimming, tendon and overreach boots should be fitted. Swimming can be particularly appropriate for horses recovering from injuries involving the limbs and can help improve general equine fitness and stamina by developing muscle tone. Free swimming is an especially beneficial form of
www.theequinesite.co.uk
Equine Page 23
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64
